<p>Hi everyone, I am from Scotland and just got a call to arrange an interview for Harvard University this Saturday. I am a bit panicked!! I just wondered whether anyone knew any info about what these interviews entail as my knowledge isn’t that strong.</p>
<p>any tips on dress code? I was thinking just jeans and a nice shirt but I don’t really know what they are expecting!
how far should i read up on Harvard...apart from the obvious about what my favoured course is like etc...what else would i really need to know!?</p>
<p>Apart from the obvious questions such as </p>
<p>Why Harvard? Why would Harvard take u? what’s special about Harvard? are there any other Harvard specific questions that really can b asked?</p>
<p>Double posting's not the best way to get responses, you'll find most people have a look at a lot of the forums and they'll get irritated if they see you posting the same thing in many places.</p>
<p>That being said, you've got a few replies on your other thread, have a look! :)</p>
<p>In addition, there have been a number of threads on this in the past, use the search function for finding them.</p>
<p>i apologise- not really used to these forums! just got told to put somethign on here by somone else who said i would get a little help so i signed up today! sorry again</p>
<p>ok thanks very much! il have a go now and see what i can get...</p>
<p>also is the level of specialised knowledge of harvard as a university expected to be lower because of an international student? or perhaps even higher</p>
<p>The interview isn't to test you on your knowledge of Harvard, but to find out what you have to offer that would help Harvard create the best and most well rounded class that it can. And, the interview is considered by the admissions committee as they evaluate you. If you aren't able to get an interview (which can happen to international applicants because of the lack of alumni volunteers), that doesn't count against you. If you do get an interview, however, the interviewer will be rating you and providing the admissions committee with a report. You can find details about this by searching CC's archives.</p>
<p>My interviewer never asked me any questions regarding Harvard. We spoke for about an hour and fifteen minutes on books, politics, food, almost anything that popped into our minds. I think it went well, and I liked it a lot. My advice is to be yourself and do not prepare any respones and memorize them. I know some students like to do this but interviewers will know when something is rehearsed. Good luck.</p>
<p>"My advice is to be yourself and do not prepare any respones and memorize them. I know some students like to do this but interviewers will know when something is rehearsed."</p>
<p>While that's absolutely true, it's also important not to suddenly blank on a simple question. For example, in one of my interviews, my interviewer asked "What do you like to do in your spare time?" and was so nervous I actually blanked after 2 answers (it felt pretty embarrasing, and I missed the chance to talk about a lot of my interests). So it's a good idea to at least have in mind a number of things you find interesting, because it's terrible to leave an interview and then realize "Crud, I forgot to talk about such-and-such."</p>
<p>This doesn't mean you should cram in all your extracurriculars and all your interests into the interview- not at all. But the more prepared you are to go into those things, the more accurate a picture the interviewer will get.</p>
<p>Ditto Admiral. Happened to me too. Write down a list of things you'd like to impress upon the interviewer. It'll help you focus on what to say throughout the interview.</p>
<p>My interviewer asked me "What do your friends think about you?" and I blanked out too :(</p>
<p>asking, "What do your friends think about you?" is the dumbest question ....</p>
<p>but since you have to answer anyway, just say "im sorry, i hope you didnt take me for a mind-reader, but I can tell you what I hope they think about me, which is really what I think about myself, which is what I hope you would like to know .... "</p>
<p>if I was asked a question like that, i think i would loose my cool ...</p>
<p>realitysucks- a good rule of thumb is to wear the least casual thing that you would be comfortable wearing to school on a normal day. I usually wore a black button-down shirt with khakis, but it obviously depends on your wardrobe.</p>
<p>Collared shirts, denim pants, etc... use common sense. (You never want to go in a suit, even if it weren't at Starbucks. At least, I wouldn't).</p>
<p>yeah i really hate questions like that, questions where they ask you to talk about yourself. I mean you cant brag obviously, you dont know what to say half the time, its just awkward. I'd really really prefer if they formed a basis for your character based on your opinions on life, books, the college, rather than your opinions on yourself.</p>